THE BEER NUT: Beer gardens open on the Esplanade and Constitution Wharf

Norman Miller Daily News Staff @Norman_MillerMW

Wednesday

Aug 8, 2018 at 10:35 AMAug 9, 2018 at 2:31 PM

Beer gardens are blooming in Boston; one on the Charles River Esplanade and the other on Constitution Wharf. And, one local brewery has created a new beer exclusively for Buffalo Wild Wings to serve during Fantasy Football draft season.

Summer is cranking and outdoor beer drinking season is in full swing, and now there are two more outdoor beer gardens to enjoy in Boston.

Night Shift Brewing opened the Owl’s Nest beer garden at the Charles River Esplanade in Boston last week. The Owl’s Nest is on the west side of Fiedler Field, about a 3-minute walk from the Hatch Shell and a 10- or 15-minute walk from Boston Common.

The Owl’s Nest will feature a variety of the Everett brewery's beers, such as Santilli and Whirlpool, and soon an Owl's Nest exclusive IPA. They will also serve beers distributed by Night Shift Distribution, such as brews from Pipe Works Brewing Company and Great North Aleworks, as well as cider, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. There will also be food trucks.

Along with beer and food, there is outdoor games and other entertainment.

The Owl’s Nest will remain open through October. It is open 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Old Ironsides gets a new neighbor

Also just opened last weekend is Castle Island Brewing Company’s new beer garden at National Development’s Constitution Wharf in Charlestown. The beer garden is on Boston Harbor directly across from Old Ironsides.

This is Castle Island’s second attempt at a beer garden. They were originally supposed to open one at Underground at Ink Block, a new urban park that's being developed at an 8-acre underpass between the South End and South Boston, but police concerns about large crowds there led to the move.

The beer garden will feature a 20-tap draft trailer with Castle Island’s year-round beers such as Keeper and Hi-Def, as well as special releases like Social Studies and Hawaiian Train Wreck. There will be draft wine, too.

“We’re incredibly excited about this new location,” said Castle Island President Adam Romanow. “Between the unbelievable views of the harbor and the city, and the proximity to the iconic USS Constitution, we could not be happier with where we’ve landed.”

Castle Island hopes to keep the beer garden open through the end of October, pending permitting with the city. Hours are 2 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

What goes with chicken?

In other beer news, Buffalo Wild Wings has announced they have partnered with five regional breweries, among them Harpoon, to create exclusive beers for the restaurant that will be available during Fantasy Football draft season.

Harpoon's beer is described as having “tropical, citrus and fruity flavors without any of the bitterness,” and has a “toasty malt character.”

The new Harpoon beer is called Simcoe the Underdog Pale Ale. Fans who host Fantasy Football draft parties now through Sept. 5 will be able to try the beer before it is available anywhere else.

Norman Miller is a Daily News staff writer. Email him at nmiller@wickedlocal.com or call 508-626-3823. Check out the Beer Nut blog at http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/section/blogs01?taxid=646&start=2. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram@RealBeerNut and on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerBeerNut.